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贲 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
贲bēnsurname Benunknown, 9 strokes, radical 贝, rank #42371, Very Hard
贲bēnto forge ahead; energetic; surnamenr, 9 strokes, radical 贝, rank #42371, Very Hard
贲bēnbrightunknown, 9 strokes, radical 贝, rank #42371, Very Hard
贲bìsurname Benunknown, 9 strokes, radical 贝, rank #42371, Very Hard
贲bìto forge ahead; energetic; surnamenr, 9 strokes, radical 贝, rank #42371, Very Hard
贲bìbrightunknown, 9 strokes, radical 贝, rank #42371, Very Hard
bēn(Ben1)
primary
T1
  1. 1surname Ben
  2. 2to forge ahead; energetic; surname
Also a Chinese surname, Ben — see the Surname Dictionary
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

贲(賁)bēn(Ben1)

The character 贲 (bēn) can mean to forge ahead or to be energetic, often conveying a sense of brightness or vitality. It is less commonly used in daily conversation and can also function as a surname in Chinese culture. The character has a positive connotation, suggesting a vigorous or lively spirit.

Strokes9Radical贝Frequency#42371DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

In ancient Chinese literature, characters like 贲 were often used to describe heroes or figures who displayed exceptional vigor and brightness, reflecting the value placed on these traits in Chinese culture. The character can also be associated with historical figures who bore this surname.

Memory Tip

Imagine a bright, shining sun (the radical '贝' represents wealth and brightness) pushing forward through the clouds, symbolizing energy and determination. The pronunciation 'bēn' can be remembered as 'ben' in 'brilliant,' linking both the sound and meaning.

Meanings of 贲

bēn(Ben1)
primary
1to forge ahead; energetic; surname
2bright
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 贲

贲Simplified
賁Traditional
9Strokes
贝Radical
人名míngcíproper noun (pr.n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 贲

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Podcast: 贲

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AI Study Notes for 贲

Usage Notes

Be cautious with the tone; 'bēn' is pronounced with a high level tone, which is crucial for correct understanding. While it may not be frequently used in casual conversation, it is important in literary contexts. Common collocations include phrases that emphasize vitality or energy.

HSK Study Tips

Since 贲 is not at a specific HSK level, it may be beneficial for students to connect it to other vocabulary related to energy and brightness, such as 精力 (jīnglì - energy) and 明亮 (míngliàng - bright). Focus on recognizing its usage in literary texts.

Common Mistakes

Learners might confuse 贲 with similar-sounding words like 本 (běn), which means 'root' or 'book.' For example, saying '他贲书' (tā bēn shū) instead of '他本书' (tā běn shū) would change the meaning entirely. Always pay attention to the tone and context.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 贲

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Etymology of 贲

Jason Etymology Detective

Case file: 贲

Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.

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Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.

Decomposition of 贲

IDS Structure⿱卉贝
贲Full Character
=
卉hui4
top
贝Bei4
bottom
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 贲?

How to say surname Ben in Chinese

“surname Ben” in Chinese is贲bēn

The character 贲 (bēn) can mean to forge ahead or to be energetic, often conveying a sense of brightness or vitality. It is less commonly used in daily conversation and can also function as a surname in Chinese culture. The character has a positive connotation, suggesting a vigorous or lively spirit.

When to use 贲

Be cautious with the tone; 'bēn' is pronounced with a high level tone, which is crucial for correct understanding. While it may not be frequently used in casual conversation, it is important in literary contexts. Common collocations include phrases that emphasize vitality or energy.

What learners get wrong

Learners might confuse 贲 with similar-sounding words like 本 (běn), which means 'root' or 'book.' For example, saying '他贲书' (tā bēn shū) instead of '他本书' (tā běn shū) would change the meaning entirely. Always pay attention to the tone and context.

Write 贲

贲

Practice writing 贲 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Word Family of 贲

Words Containing This Character2
贲bēnsurname Ben賁
贲门cardia (anatomy)賁門
Exercise 1 of 2

Compound Meaning

What does 贲 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 贲

贲 can describe someone who is energetic, such as saying '他是一个贲发的人,' meaning 'He is an energetic person.'

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